Ensure that a mental health provider or supervisor checks in with all officers involved before the end of shift

Provide key wellness data points to determine need to consult with the chief and command staff as appropriate and permissible by policy

Provide critical information about available mental health resources with officers and connecting with officers’ family members if needed

Provide officers with readily available access to a professional who is able to support minor challenges they are confronting

Identify officers who may be in need of structured counseling or support and working with those officers to provide them with appropriate resources

Key Benefits

Reduce the stigma associated with counseling and accessing services and encourage officers to focus on their emotional wellness

Familiarize officers with a mental health professional so if the need for structured services arises an officer is more likely to engage with that familiar professional

Help the practitioner develop a working understanding of the department culture and officers so they are best prepared to provide culturally competent support when the need inevitably arises in the future

Foster a culture of emotional wellness within the department and advance the understanding that high levels of stress are an inextricable part of the profession and are best navigated proactively